Senior Advisor

The Senior Adviser – Corporate Communications is responsible for developing and implementing targeted internal engagement and communications strategies in alignment with the strategic initiatives and priorities identified in the Council Plan and organisational strategy to inform and engage internal audiences. The role will also work closely with the Mayor, Councillors and CEO to deliver speeches and briefing materials for events and media opportunities. The role is also responsible for media management and coordinating issues management responses.

• Temporary, parental leave cover position until April 2027
• $ 109,139.16 per annum plus super
• Convenient Preston location, close to public transport
• Flexible work arrangements available, including hybrid working structure with up to 2 days working from home
• Lead the Corporate Communications team and develop engaging strategies that support Darebin's Council Plan and Community Vision.

At Darebin, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of how we work. Our commitment to these values is unwavering, they are central to our mission, to our impact and to help us better serve our community. We know that having varied perspectives and lived experiences helps generate better ideas to enable a diverse, inclusive and connected community.

Darebin encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people of colour. We value people of all abilities and diversity of culture, faith, gender identity and sexual orientation. We welcome unique contributions and perspectives of all people to ensure our workforce is representative of the communities we work with and live in.

About Darebin City Council

Located in Melbourne's northern suburbs, Darebin City Council is home to one of the largest, most diverse communities in terms of culture, language, religion, socio-economic background, occupation, and housing needs. The city has one of the largest populations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents in metropolitan Melbourne. Our Vision is for a community that works together to advance community life.

About the Role

Lead the Corporate Communications Team to develop engaging communications strategies that support Darebin's Council Plan and Community Vision. The Corporate Communications team brings together internal communications, media and reputational risk management, Councillor communications, speech writing and civic events (including Citizenship Ceremonies) into a function that presents a consolidated corporate narrative for the organisation.

This role requires skills in strategic communications planning, politically savvy issues identification, engaging storytelling, and strong interpersonal skills that foster strong stakeholder relationships.

Working within the Communications and Engagement Unit, this role frequently collaborates closely with other senior advisers in the unit to deliver integrated communications approaches for Council projects and initiatives.

• Development and implementation of an internal communications strategy, supported by events, meetings and interesting tactics to drive internal engagement.
• Develop a communications culture that encourages sharing of information, collaboration between teams and recognises and celebrates achievements.
• Continue to monitor the effectiveness of internal engagement and communications and recommend improvements.
• Develop Council's Annual Report, working with stakeholders from across the organisation to ensure transparency and accountability.
• Support the Mayor and Council with content for corporate channels, including monthly Mayoral videos, forewords and other materials to support the objectives of Council.
• Provide a point of liaison for media and the management of proactive and reactive media relations.
• Monitor reputational risks for the organisation and provide holding lines and communications plans which assist in mitigating these risks.
• Support the development and implementation of civic events.

Skills & Experience

• Highly skilled in managing and working on multiple projects and priorities
• Proven ability to negotiate, motivate, develop and influence others towards common organisational outcomes
• Proven ability to partner with stakeholders and support them through change
• Ability to exercise problem solving skills at a high level and be solutions focused
• Experience in providing advice at the highest level
• Experience in a complex, politically sensitive and demanding government environment
• Demonstrated experience in recognising and interpreting quality content for a range of different audiences
• Significant experience in planning and delivering high-quality communications through a variety of channels on time, within budget and with high-level attention to detail
• Proven expertise in delivering communications and media materials for media events, as well as coordinating the development and delivery of media events and video and visual assets for web and social media
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated creativity in thinking beyond the traditional strategic avenues for communications and policy implementation strategies, and the ability to apply new communication approaches to issues and problems (i.e. social and new media technologies)
• Proven ability to engage with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders to build relationships, gather information, build consensus and gain support.

Culture

As a progressive leader in Local Government, Darebin City Council is passionate about social inclusion, sustainability, engagement and service excellence. We are proud of the diversity of our workforce and recognise the strength this provides in meeting the needs of the community we serve. We are committed to upholding a positive and supportive work environment that values the contribution of all employees and treats all employees with dignity and respect.

Benefits

We offer a range of benefits to our employees including opportunities for personal and professional development, flexible work practices, Employee Assistance Program, recognition and reward program - Appreciate Great and a variety of generous paid and unpaid leave options.

How to Apply

If this sounds like the right opportunity for you, please submit your application including a resume, and those who wish to address the Key Selection Criteria in the Position Description may do so in their cover letter.

We are also happy to adjust our recruitment process to support your accessibility needs.

Contact Carmel Ganino, Head of Communications and Engagement on for a confidential discussion.

Applications close on 27 November at 11.30pm.

Darebin is committed to providing a safe working environment that embraces and values child safety, and thorough 'Safety Screening' processes apply. To work at Darebin City Council, you will be required to supply proof of work rights, a Victorian Employee Working with Children Check and comply with Child Safety standards. All employees are required to undertake an Australian Criminal History Check and may be required to complete a Functional Health Assessment. Council requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as outlined in the Staff Covid-19 Vaccinat